COMMUNIQUE BY NAVY LEAGUE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1923, 4 December 1913, Page 3

COMMUNIQUE BY NAVY LEAGUE.

THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES. LEACUE'S IDEA TO MEET THEM. Quite an interesting document disclosing the futuro aim of the Navy League, their apprehension of certain eventualities in war, and what ihc league considers desirable in building and manning to meet a situation which is steadily changing, has been received here from London. It is now forwarded for publication by Mr. Cecil Palmer, secretary of the 'Wellington branch of the league, and reads as follows: — ■ '■ -;■!>■ Tho Manifesto. To the People of tho British Empire. —Fellow-Citizens,—During tho. twelve months since the issue of the league's message on Trafalgar Day, 1912, developments of great riioment have taken place in the naval situation. Tho memorandum of tho First Lord of tho Admiralty to tho Government of the Dominion of Canada presented in the most convincing terms tho profound changes which have taken place within recent years in British sea power, as contrasted with that of great rival nations. Tho rejection of tho Naval Aid Bill by the Canadian Senato makes impossible the provision by 1916 of the three largo armoured ships which it was hoped ■would then bo available for the worldwide defence of tho Empire. There ha 3 been constantly increasing activity among Mediterranean Powors in the construction of war-craft. Tho weakness of our Fleet in the Pacific has been a continual source of anxiety to the Dominions which border on that_ ocean. Tiio increase of Continental armies and the continuing unrest in tho Near East do not augur well for the continuance of peace. Tho definite establishment of tho Australian Fleet Unit in tho Southern Pacific and tho warm reception a"corded everywhere to H.M.S. New Zealand during its recent tour round tho world aro manifestations of tho intense loyalty of our Dominions and of their ever-increasing interest in the sea supremacy of the Empire. It is believed that the time has arrived when closer relationship in Imperial Defence should be definitely established, and therefore il, is urged that tho Imperial Government should at once tako steps to bring into closer co-operation tho representatives of Defence in the Sister Nations, and should create a Central Imperial Council to deal -with problems of naval defence.

The. Navy. League, in view of these considerations, has adopted the following statement of naval policy, and purposes to urgo it upon the Government and the people of this country with a'l the machinery at its disposal, appealing TvithcohfidencO to all classes of the community for their support.

What Must Bo Dona. 1. That in order to place the British Navy in a position of unassailable supremacy, tho naval construction programme of this country (Britain) should for the future bo so revised.as.to.create nntl maintain at the earliest :p'ossible point of time, a standard of power of two keels to one in capital, ships, against the next strongest naval station. ; 2. The immediate and permanent rep'stablishmentof British power in the Mediterranean on a clearly defined basis of.relative strength. • 3./ With a.view,.to tho satisfaction of local feeling in Australia, New Zealand and British Columbia, tho situation in 'tjie I'acrfiiJ'frjaiihrb'e'ear'ofnlly considered in consultation'with the Dominions concerned. 1 j|,.,Thc creation of an Imperial Squadron "to show tho .Flag" and to enforce British diplomatic rights in anv part of tho world where it may bo needful to do so. . . p. The appointment 31 a Royal Commission or other competent inquiry, at the instance of the Government.'with the object of initiating a clear and practical .policy with regard to this country's food supply in time of war. This 'is a matter of grave national importance in view of the chance in economic conditions and tho'great increase in clic naval power of foreign nations. 6. Tho extension of facilities for dm training of boys in primary and other schools, and the increase of tho nunuVr of institutions for this object at the ; public oxpense. ; • In order to give practical effect to this statement of policv, the Navv League holds:—(a) That not less thaii six capital ships should be laid down •"i'i C i the present mud 101$: ■ both years inclusive. (b'j Chat a substantial increase i'u th« personnel .of the Fleet is absolutely ne'eesrarv. (c) That the Government must make provision so that the ships prowled for in ca-h year's building programme shall be laid down at the earliest possible.moment. M) That the onhrgeniont of existing Tlockiiw accommodation and more ample reserves of guns, coal, stores, and oil fuel are. matters of serious moment, and demand immediate consideration. ■, The Navy, League corniiiends this policv to the earned consideration and practical support of the-people of this country. Signed on behalf of' t'lie Executive. Comirii'tWe of the-Ncvj' Ln^'uo ' ...-'President. ■i-':;V' ;I!."'.T. HAXNON"..,..-,. ' ■'.' '.- 'S: '-'■ : ■ .Secretary.